Best Practices

Participatory Environment A more positive school
environment is created when all stakeholders feel they are
contributing to the school’s success. This process begins with
leadership and a shared agenda, both clearly defined and
clearly communicated. Leadership at its best is not confined
to teachers and administrators but also involves parents and
students in decision making and planning.
Opportunities to Contribute. Students, teachers and parents feel a stronger connection
to a school that welcomes their contributions. Opportunities for involvement
abound—from democratic processes in decision making to the inclusion of various
stakeholders in school committees to class and town hall meetings that encourage
sharing of views.
Teachers who are given more autonomy and control over their work have higher
morale. Students who are given responsibilities and opportunities to lead and
contribute build competencies and self-confidence. The delegation of responsibility
signals to students and teachers that their opinions are valuable, and it transmits the
expectation that they are capable problem solvers. Such attitudes add to a positive
school climate.
Activities that engage students. Students can often contribute and develop leadership
skills through participation in service learning and after-school activities. These
activities enable students to be more self-directed, allow them to explore areas of
interest and provide opportunities to experience success.
• Service learning engages students in active civic participation through organized
experiences that meet real-world needs. The programs develop awareness of social
justice issues and the value of collaboration. The best service learning programs
integrate social, emotional, ethical and academic learning while promoting civic
engagement. Effective programs enable students to process the experiences.
• After-school activities are valuable for a number of reasons, but they are particularly
helpful in integrating new students into the school community. For this reason, it
is important that activities welcome newcomers who arrive throughout the school
year. These activities foster a sense of community, increase school connectedness,
provide an outlet for specific interests and build new skills.
STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND
PARENTS FEEL A STRONGER
CONNECTION TO A SCHOOL
THAT WELCOMES THEIR
CONTRIBUTIONS.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
INVOLVEMENT ABOUND—
FROM DEMOCRATIC
PROCESSES IN DECISION
MAKING TO THE INCLUSION
OF VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS
IN SCHOOL COMMITTEES TO
CLASS AND TOWN HALL
MEETINGS THAT ENCOURAGE
SHARING OF VIEWS.
ENHANCING THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT — Participatory Environment PAGE 21